§ 18. Mr. Couchmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is planning to relax the joint financing rules to facilitate caring for more people in the community.
§ Mr. John PattenAn order has been laid before the House to bring into effect from 1 April section 1 of the Health and Social Services and Social Security Adjudications Act 1983, which widens the scope of joint finance, and we shall be issuing a circular to authorities explaining the changes. This will complete the action we have been taking to introduce the changes and relaxations in the joint finance rules announced by my right hon. Friend on 28 July 1982, at columns559–60. We have no plans to make any further changes.